Lobbying, connections key to Aurelius plant's development

If a specialty cheese company fulfills its commitment to open a new, state-of-the-art factory in Cayuga County, it will not be doing so without help.

And that help will come partially as a result of years of work and tens of thousands of dollars directed toward government lobbying.

Saratoga Cheese Corp. announced earlier this month that it plans to build a 64,000-square-foot production facility in Aurelius. The factory will eventually create 77 full-time jobs, pump $3.23 million in annual payroll into the community and create $123 million in revenues, according to company officials.